Extension-table



N. FEYERS. P14010-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED sTATns Prina Enron.

GEO. PRATT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. ELLIS, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, AND J. E. HAZLETON, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,530, dated June 8, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE PRATT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension Dining-Tables; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described. and represented in the following specication and the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure l, exhibits a top View of a table having my invention and shows the table drawn out to its fullest extent. Fig. 2, is

f a longitudinal, central and vertical section of such table, while Fig. 8, is a transverse section taken so as to show the turning supporter and its hinges to be hereinafter described.

In these drawings, A, and, B, denote the two halves or main portions of the table, while, C, and, D, are two frames adapted to slide within one another and applied to and operating with respect to two sets of parallel bars E, E, and F, F, in the usual manner, such parallel bars being fastened to and extended from the two parts, A, B, of the table as shown in the drawings. The aforesaid frames and the parallel bars are what are usually termed extension slides they being held together by grooves and tongues formed in a manner well known. In the outer edge of each of the bars F, F, as well as in that of each of t-he bars a, a, or o, b, of the sliding frames, C, and, D, I form a rabbet, c, extending along in such bar as shown in the drawing. Projecting into such rabbet and from the next adjacent bar, is a stationary stop f, which by bringing up against one end of the rabbetserves to arrest the motion of one slide bar with respect to that immediately contiguous to it. Furthermore, in each bar or slide carrying a stationary stop, and opposite the middle of its rabbet I make a recess, g, and arrange in it, an auxiliary movable stop, It, which I apply so as to be capable of turning on a screw, z', and of being either moved entirely within the recess or be made to project therefrom and enter the rabbet of the adjacent slide bar. The recess, g, should be so formed and have the auxiliary stop arranged in it that when such stop is turned entirely forward or into its rabbet, it shall abut against one end of the recess or a proper stop by which its further movement may be arrested. The arrangement of the several auxiliary stops, 7L, in the slide bars is shown by the drawing.

Underneath and to the slide frame, C,

or that part of it which is in the middle `part of the table when extended, I fasten while from the vertical edge of the piece 7c,

another such spring catch, a, extends downward as shown in Fig. 2. A standard or leg supporter'S is hinged to the transverse bar or board, 7c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the hinges being so arranged that when the standard or leg rest, S, is in a perpendicular position it shall bring up against the part, Z. In its upper part, the standard S, is formed with a space, P, on the two opposite sides of and across which two catch bars, g, r, are arranged horizontally and in the position as shown in Fig. 2. They operate with the two spring catches, m, m, and in such manner, that when the standard is being turned downward, the catch m, shall spring upon the catch bar, g, and hold the standard in a vertical position, the other catch bar and catch serving to maintain the standard in a horizontal position, when it is turned up into the same.

During the movement of the standard from a vertical into a horizontal position, or vice versa, the catch, m, passes between the two catch bars, the catch bar, r, at the same time passing in a path between the two catches.

By means of my invention, I am enabled to conveniently adjust the dining table to a medium length or extension and use it without depressing the standard, S, in a manner to cause such standard to rest on the floor. Furthermore, the table may be extended to its greatest degree of extension in which case the supporting leg or center standard, S, is to be turned down so as to give support to the slide frames.

In preparing the table for medium extension, the auxiliary stops are to be turned around into their rabbets. When this has been done, they will serve as a means of arresting the movable parts of the table, when they may have attained their proper positions. l/Vhen thus extended, the tongues and grooves oi the slides will serve to support the leaves and weight which may rest or be placed on the slides. But when the table is extended to its greatest length, the supporter S, will be required to be turned downward. By my improvement, the said supporter is not seen or is turned up out of sight when the table is extended to its medium length or distance. By arranging the space, p, in the supporter and combining it with the spring catches and catch bars as described, we are enabled to bring the t-wo catches in line with one another and thus arrange each in the middle of the table. Each catch should be so formed that it will hold the supporter, S, either vertically or horizontally, when it may be required to be in such position, but give way when the supporter is pulled from it by .the hand of a person.

One great advantage of my table over the ordinary extension table or one provided with extension slides is that in extending the latter to a medium distance, the slides will run out unequal distances whereby the bearings of the one or the other may not be alike, but with my table this is not so as each slide takes an equal bearing on the other, whether the table be extended the whole length or distance to which it is capable of being run out or only to a medium extension as above described.

I do not claim a spring catch; nor the mere duplication of such, but,

`What I claim is- 1. The combination of the auxiliary turning stop, it, and its recess, g, or the equivalent thereof, with the main stop, f, applied to one of the slides and the rabbet made in the other the whole being as and for the purposes described.

2. I also claim the combination and arrangement of the two spring catches, m, n, catch bars, Q, r, and the space, p, whereby during the motion of the supporter, S, on its hinges, one catch is made to pass between the two catch bars and one catch bar to pass between the two catches.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.

GEORGE PRATT.

Witnesses:

R. H. EDDY, F. P. HALE, Jr. 

